While we can all point to things that could have been done better on this tour, overall I’d give the management team an A-, and doubt very much that any other Lions outfit could have done better. It’s a shame for people like Kearney, Jenkins, Roberts and BOD who truly are world class, but that’s just five from all of the home nations.

The first test the Lions could have won if some of their missed points had gone their way (2 tries not counting). This second test was too close to say the Boks deserved it outright. Burger with a red card would have been a huge swing factor for the Lions, the Boks missed a few kicks (and points) but to win like that in the last minute from a penalty is more luck than skill and home crowd advantage counts.

The Lions centres outshine the Boks, although the Lions play very flat (near off-side a lot) and the scissor dummy running is close to obstruction but they get away with it. The Boks dominate up front and defend well. Two different styles and very exciting.

A good tour all-round.

.. I think BoD was potentially offside for his tackle, but if you watch the replay it looks like he went in with the intention of tackling and had his arms ready to wrap up, but as he knocked himself out just bounced to the floor instead. His body wasn’t in the position to do a shoulder charge, it was in the position to make a tackle.

It was an amazing game, and I don’t begrudge the Saffa’s the victory – you didn’t win by cheating, you won by playing great rugby and through strength in depth.

But all credit to the Lion’s, played with passion and pride, put their bodies on the line and in the end were very unlucky to lose. Also showed the damage a scratch team can do – it may well be that the South African’s hadn’t played together for 7 months. Four weeks ago the Lions had never played together and would have beaten the boks in their own back yard were they not unfortunate with injury (or if RoG could tackle)!

i think deliberating ‘what ifs’ is a credible pastime for bloggers or those discussing the game over a pint, as long as we don’t harp on about it for too long…

i don’t think 2001 was a bad lions tour, there were some politics behind the scenes, but nothing that would still be remembered if we’d achieved the series win that was there for the taking in the second test in melbourne before another hand-wringing series of ‘what ifs?’

although there’s been no proof of fourie being in touch, the whole benefit of the doubt issue is one i’m not clear on, and the TJ – lawrence again i believe – seemed very anxious that the TMO check the foot in touch. from one angle it looked possible, if the teams had been wearing significantly different colour socks that might have made it easier! if there hadn’t been a TMO i think the TJ would have raised his flag.

mcgeechan’s a legend, but i think both the selection and use of bench players is something he will regret. if o’gara was hurt, he should have been replaced, we still had harry ellis and mike phillips would have managed just fine in the centre for 5 minutes.

o’gara will inevitably get the criticism. i wouldn’t criticise his decision to kick upfield in the last minute – he gambled on keeping the ball in play in a bid to set up some form of winning platform for his team, rather than kick to touch and give SA likely possession for the ‘last play’ from a lineout near halfway. but his subsequent chase and challenge was an error of judgment, and in the unforgiving environment of test match rugby you have to expect flak if you stuff up. just ask ugo monye, or david campese (1989)

brian moore has completely ‘gone off on one’ in both the telegraph and on five live this morning, especially furious about lawrence’s officiating in both games.

burger’s ban – now confirmed at eight weeks – is much too low. at a minimum he should have received 3 months taking him out of the whole tri-nations, as it is he will miss only 3 of SA’s 6 games. botha just misses this saturday’s dead rubber, which is only a token punishment.

big up to simon shaw – several people were suggesting the old boy wouldn’t last the pace

Despite my initial anger at RoG’s non-existent tackling and poor decision making, I am of the opinion that it isn’t his fault he was on the pitch.
Focussing on the negatives won’t change the result, and regardless of the scoreline the game was the best example of test rugby I have ever seen. I have never felt such a range of exhaustive emotion in an 80 minute period. It had everything a rugby game could possibly want, in terms of big hits, awesome talent and controversy.

But – to focus on the negatives..!

It did highlight how Po’C isn’t the captain he was supposed to materialise into, as the key leadership & passion on the pitch appeared to come from O’Driscoll and Jones in my opinion. This was highlighted after O’D and Phillips’ scuffle with Botha in the first half, when O’D was seen goading Botha and saying ‘Bring it on’, with a demonic smile on his face. O’Connell played ok, getting round the park and making himself known, but did nothing to rally his players or impose himself as captain (hence O’driscoll being targeted instead of him).

Final thought,

Burger really is terribly stupid.